An innovative new approach to fundraising now allows South Africans to give easily, quickly and regularly, combining these contributions, however small, with those of others who share their passion for a cause. The result is a sustainable funding stream for charities, causes and schools, enabling these organisations to multiply their impact in building a better world.

"We all want to contribute to building a better world. South Africans are especially known for their generosity, philanthropy and willingness to help those who are less fortunate," says Bryan Smith of Pledge-a-Portion. "Now South Africans have an easy way to support the causes they care most about and to ensure their individual contributions make a big impact.

"By merging the latest trends in philanthropy and charitable funding with our cutting-edge crowdfunding technology, Pledge-a-Portion makes it easy to find the causes closest to your heart, to contribute on a regular basis, and to enjoy peace of mind that your contribution is making a difference. The regular contributions from each individual, no matter how small, pooled with other regular contributions, build up a sustainable funding stream that allows the causes to sustain and multiply its charitable efforts."

Philantrophy - "The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes"

"One of the most interesting trends in philanthropy is the concept of giving to charity by taking a pledge," explains Smith. "Perhaps the most notable example is The Giving Pledge, a commitment by 170 of the world's wealthiest from 21 countries to dedicate most of their wealth to giving back. By combining this trend with a brand new online crowdfunding initiative, Pledge-a-Portion allows all South Africans to get in on this new global way of giving, to Pledge-a-Portion and to make a real impact by regularly financially supporting the causes they care about."

Crowdfunding - "Funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from large number of people via the Internet"

Pledge-a-Portion, through its online crowdfunding platform www.pledgeaportion.org, allows South Africans to take their own pledge; browse through the causes, charities, schools and projects listed on the site and contribute regularly through the easy, secure PayFast online payment system. To see just how easy it is to pledge your portion, watch a quick video at https://vimeo.com/220321084.

As a registered charity and public benefit organisation, Pledge-a-Portion distributes the donations to the respective causes and organisations.

In addition, any cause, charity, school, non-profit organisation or project can setup their own page on www.pledgeaportion.org and promote it through their social media networks. There are no costs such as application or subscription fees, as Pledge-a-Portion instead retains 5% of the funds raised to cover the platform and other costs. The most common campaigns include nonprofit organisations, schools, charities and social enterprises looking for funding for a social cause project, product or program; individuals or teams doing a challenge and raising funds for a charity or cause; and individuals looking for funding for a sick friend, family member or colleague.

"The Pledge-a-Portion team has always prided itself on being on the cutting edge of innovations that make it easy for generous South Africans to contribute funding to worthy causes," says Smith. "We are intent on becoming one of the world's premier charity fundraising organisations, ensuring ever-more charities and causes can make an ever-bigger impact with the work they do."

Pledge-a-Portion, a registered Non-Profit Organisation and Public Benefit Organisation approved under section 18A to issue tax-deductible receipts, has been in operation for over seven years, using donations from businesses, communities and individuals to raise funds for various charities, non-profit organisations and schools in South Africa. It spearheaded the "embedded giving" fundraising concept, in which a percentage of the purchase price of a product or service goes to a charity. It also assists charities and causes with a range of other fundraising initiatives.

"We believe that people want to give back, especially to the causes they care most about. What we do is make the process quick and simple, with peace of mind that each contribution reaches the beneficiaries," concludes Smith. "We invite all South Africans to Pledge-a-Portion at www.pledgeaportion.org and to encourage the causes and charities closest to their hearts to list on and benefit from this innovative new funding platform."

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Note to the editor

About Pledge-a-Portion
Pledge-a-Portion makes use of donations from business, communities and individuals to raise funds for various charities, non-profit organisations and schools in South Africa. We have assisted the following organisations: Headway, Little Eden, Choc, Gray College, Love of Christ Ministries, Bedfordview Community Policing Forum (BCPF) and Deloitte's Polar Race Charity Challenge for LEAP Science and Maths School.

Pledge-a-Portion has also partnered with the Bead Coalition Company (www.thebeadco.co.za) in South Africa - a philanthropic company that identifies specific causes, creates awareness and designs themed, bespoke, beaded bracelets like the Rhino Force, Ocean Force and Earth Force bracelets.

Pledge-a-Portion is a registered Public Benefit Organisation and donations larger than R5 000 will receive an 18A Donations Certificate, which is deductible in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act.

For more information about Pledge-a-Portion or to arrange an interview, please visit www.pledgeaportion.org; watch our video at https://vimeo.com/220321084; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or contact Bryan Smith on 083 300 8888.